Closure for mail-bags and similar articles.



- A. HORIVIEL. GLOSURB FOB. MAIL BAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 21, 1909.

Patented Feb. l, 1910.

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AUGUST HORMEL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CLOSURE FOR MIL-BAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 21, 1909.

lfatented Feb. 1, 1910.

Serial No. 514,076.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUST I-IonMEL, citizen of the United States, and resident of New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented cer-- tain new and useful Improvements in Closures for Mail-Bags and Similar Articles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved closure for mail bags, pouches and similar articles which may be readily manipulated and effectively prevents any tampering with the contents of such bags, after the same have been properly closed.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a front view of a mail bag provided with my improved closure, showing the flap open; Fig. 2 an enlarged side view of the upper part of Fig. l, showing the flap closed; Fig. 3 a cross section, on line 3-3, Fig. 2; Fig. 4. a front view of the upper part of an open bag with the chain omitted, and Fig. 5 a vertical section on line 5 5, Fig. 3.

The numeral l0 indicates a bag which is preferably made of waterproof canvas or similar material. rl`he upper section of the bag which constitutes its "mouth is adapted to be laid into two rows of zigzag folds as illustrated in Fig. 3. The layers 11 of each row of folds are provided with alined perforations 12 adapted for the passage of a lock-pin 13. In order to prevent any in jury to the canvas, the perforated sections thereof are preferably reinforced by per forated metal disks 14:. At their rear ends, pins 13 are riveted or otherwise secured to a transverse rear plate or yoke 15, while the front ends of said pins are adapted to pass through corresponding perforations 1G of a transverse front plate 17. lIhe latter is by rivets 18 firmly secured to the front of the bag. Pins 13 are provided with circumferential grooves 19 which are adapted to be engaged by the notched ends or hooks 20 of a pair of keepers 21 which are fulcrumed to plate 17 as at 22. Each keeper 21 is provided with a linger' piece 23 and with a downwardly extending arm 241 perforated as at 25. The correlation between the parts is such that when the keepers engage the pin-grooves, the perforations 25 of arms 24- are in alinement so that the bail 26 of a nadlock 27 may be passed through said per orations. At their forward ends, pins 13 are provided with eyes 2S, to each eye 28 being secured one end of a chain or similar connecting device, 29, the length of which equals, substantially, the combined lengths gf the folds 1 1 forming the mouth of the In order to protect the bag closure against the entrance of rain, snow etc., a Hap 30 is sewed to the back of the bag, which flap is adapted to be folded over the bag as illustrated in Fig. 2. Flap 30 is provided with a perforated strap 31 adapted to be secured to a suitable buckle 32 which is attached to the front of the bag.

If it is desired to close the bag after the same has been charged, chain 29 is pulled outward with one hand while holding plate 17 with the other hand. In this way the layers 11 of each row of folds will be laid against each other until pins 13 are drawn through the alined perforations 12 of layers 11. When these pins project sufficiently beyond plate 17 so as to expose grooves 19, keepers 21 are swung downward so that their notched ends 20 enter said grooves. The bail 26 of padlock 27 is then passed through the alined perforations 25 of the keepers and the lock is closed. Finally flap 30 is folded over the closed bag and secured to buckle 32. In order to open the bag, the flap 3() is loosened and raised, lock 27 is removed and keepers 21 are swung upward into the position shown in Fig. 4. By exerting a slight pull on rear plate 15, pins 13 are withdrawn from perforations 12, whereupon the bag may be opened, as will be readily understood.

It will be seen that by the construction described, a durable and effective closure for mail bags and similar pouches is obtained, that the mouths of the opened bags may be brought into any desired shape, and that an unauthorized opening of the closed bags is prevented.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a perforated foldable bag, a yoke, a pair of pins on said yoke which are adapted to be passed through the bag-perforations, a perforated plate secured to the bag, a pair of hooks pivoted to said plate and adapted to engage the pins, a perforated arm formed on each hook, the correlation between the hooks and arms being such that when the hooks engage the pins the armperforations are in alinement, and locking means adapted to be passed through both arm-perforations.

2. A deviee of the character described ing such that when the hooks engage the 1G comprising a perforated fo1dab1ebag, a pin-grooves the arm-perforations are in yoke, a pair of grooved pins on said yoke ainement, and a look adapted to be passed which are adapted to be passed through the through both arm-perforatons. bag-perforations, a perforated plate secured to the bag, a pair of hooks pivoted to said AUGUST HORMEL' plate and adapted to engage the pin-grooves, Witnesses: perforated arms formed on the hooks, the FRANCIS J. SPIELER,

correlation between the hooks and arms be- ARTHUR E. ZUMPE. 

